A few decades ago the masses believed video games were a waste of time for lackadaisical youths to pacify themselves while ignoring their responsibilities as both kids and young adults. As more and more people started understanding the benefits of gaming so too did the perception of what a video game is and, most importantly, the benefits gaming can bestow on a person’s life changed. Hi, my name is James Bullock and I am a gamer who has spent the better part of his existence testing the laws of physics, exploring the vastness of a world ruined, and been a champion inside various arenas courtesy of digitized worlds both driven by reality and created through pure unbelievable ingenuity unlike anything seen by human eyes. And as a gamer I’ve discovered something else video games provide: life lessons. Today I examine a franchise that has changed the way it handles grand finales with a simple choice that goes against gaming logic, “Far Cry”.
Don’t Always Go With Your Instincts
One of the biggest pieces of advice given to those struggling to make a better life for themselves or attempting to achieve a high level of success is to trust your instincts. The belief is that going with your gut and sticking to what comes to mind first when making any decision will lead to the best decision. In regards to video games, first instincts are sometimes less important due to a variety of reasons especially when given multiple options in how to handle a situation – look no further than the most recent numbered games in the “Far Cry” franchise. The open-world first-person-shooter that was the first three “Far Cry” games, players took part in chaotic wars; fighting against & with feuding factions before inevitably reaching the grand finale (the third game too featuring a monumental choice where instinct doesn’t pay off). But it’s “Far Cry 4” & “Far Cry 5” that really change the dynamic of how instincts grown from years of playing these type of games greatly clash against the natural instincts for succeeding if presented with a particular choice in life.
In “Far Cry 4”, the player takes control of Ajay Ghale as he heads to the country of Kyrat to carry out his mother’s final wishes of returning her ashes to Lakshmana. Upon touching down in Kyrat, Ajay is confronted by the tyrannical, homicidal nature of the country’s leader Pagan Min. Pagan discovers the reason for Ajay’s return to his birthplace, offering to help the young man; but only after they have the most uncomfortable lunch ever featuring the torturing of some innocent soul happening in the room below them. It’s obvious for any gamer to leave the room when Ajay gets the opportunity to; putting in motion the game’s campaign. But to accept Pagan’s help, the player must go against the grain and actually wait. After ten to fifteen minutes of uncomfortable silence, Pagan returns & keeps his word by helping Ajay to create a quick experience full of laughter & memorial contemplation.
“Far Cry 5” follows a very similar route as its number predecessor as an unnamed rookie in the United States Marshals decides against arresting a cult leader; potentially saving the entire world. Sadly, in “Far Cry” lore our good ol’ “Rook” does go with his first instinct; bringing forth the end of the world as we know it (and a spin-off with “Far Cry: New Dawn”). While the best option always appears to go with your first instinct, there are times when your gut can get you in a lot of trouble; especially if you’re in a foreign land surrounded by homicidal fundamentalists and monuments to a daredevil that no one ever found his body after an impressive leap off the side of a cliff.
Have you learned any major life lessons from playing the “Far Cry” franchise or any video game for that matter? Leave them in the comments below and, as always, thanks for reading.
